Clifford “Kip” Diotte
1944 ~ 2016
Clifford “Kip”
John Diotte, 71, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at his home in Lake
Ann on Friday, April 22, 2016.
Kip was dearly
loved and admired by everyone who knew him. He was a man of so many hats:
loving father, grandfather & husband, social justice worker, bluegrass
musician, history teacher, avid gardener, talented chef, honky-tonker, epic
storyteller, fisherman & outdoorsman, morel mushroom picker, passionate
political ranter, sports appreciator, lifelong learner – a legendary Michigan (State)
man with a heart of gold.
From being a case
manager at the Goodwill shelter in Traverse City, to the director of the
Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness, to his recent work at Michigan
Rehabilitation Services, Kip was diligent in his life’s work to lift up those
that needed extra support. He truly saw the unique gifts of the people around
him and accepted everyone exactly as they were. Kipper’s presence put everyone
at ease – he was always compassionate and always real. He embraced both the joy
and the pain in life and was a living example to others of how to do the same.
He was a role model to so many, and he will be deeply missed by those who were
fortunate enough to know him.
Kip was born to
Paulina and Clifford Diotte in Highland Park, MI, but grew up in the Upper
Peninsula in L’Anse. He currently resided in Lake Ann with his wife Pam. He was
the younger brother of Mary Jane; father to Tad, Kristin (Michael), Joel
(Angie), Matt (Erin), Sean, Justin, Chris (Laura), and Megan; grandfather to
Jennifer, Lilie, Grace, Margaret, Ben, and Finley Touhey; and great-grandfather
to Gary.
A celebration of
Kip’s life will take place on Sunday, May 1, 2016 from 1 to 5 p.m. with a
service at 1:30 p.m. at the township hall in downtown Lake Ann, 19639 Maple
St., Lake Ann, MI.
In lieu of
flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Glen Lake Community Schools c/o Athletic
Dept., 3375 W. Burdickville Rd., Maple City, MI 49664 and/or to the Disability
Network of Northern Michigan, 415 E. Eighth St., Traverse City, MI 49686 and/or
to NPR, P.O. Box 199, Interlochen, MI 49643.
Please share
condolences with the Diotte family below:
What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man! I was blessed to work with Kip for the past few years and am truly going to miss him and his passion for life. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteToo soon gone ... blessings
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful selfless man, that never met a stranger. He welcomed me at work several years ago and shared ways to assist students and adults with disabilities. I loved to hear his fish stories because they were filled with such excitement! We often swapped gardening techniques. I was blessed to know him as were many others. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
ReplyDeleteKip was a great man and so easy to talk with. We frequently chatted about the UP and being Yoopers! You Betcha EH! I work with Kip in the Traverse City office prior to moving back to the UP. When I saw him last at the end of March, he had a big smile and a hug for me. He was good at that. May your family have great memories to keep and share. Wishing you Peace.
ReplyDeleteDarcy Juntunen
Kip was a pleasure to work with at West Senior High. Always upbeat and working hard for kids. Always with a bit of laughter in his way. And am i reading that right - 8 children! Kids - be proud - he was one of the good guys!
ReplyDelete4 Were step kids, Chris, Sean, Justin and Megan
DeleteI had the honor of working with Kip for the last five years at West Sr. High. Wednesdays were Kip days in the library. He grabbed the newspaper or one of the magazines and we would chat about politics and kids that were struggling and kids that were making it. He made me smile. He was often the calm on a busy morning. To say he will be missed is an understatement. Our hearts are heavy and our Wednesdays will be filled with a little less joy.
ReplyDeleteGenevieve Minor
WSH Media Specialist
I had the pleasure of working with Kip at West Sr. High for the past five years. He came to the library on Wednesdays mornings, grabbed the newspaper or a magazine and we would talk about politics, kids that were struggling and the ones that were making it. He brought a smile and calmness to an often busy morning. I watched student after student meet with Kip and leave the small conference room with hope. Their heads were a little higher and they knew he was there to help them reach their potential. To say he will be missed does not do justice to the hole in our hearts and the heaviness we will feel every Wednesday morning, knowing he won't be back. I will find comfort knowing the impact he made on the lives of so many of our students. Rest in peace Kip.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to the whole family. I first got to know Kip from the Goodwill Inn back in 1997 and he truly was a kind hearted man. I occasionally bumped into him in town and he knew exactly who I was and would greet me like he had known me all his life. He would always stop and talk no matter what he was doing. He touched the hearts of many people. He will be missed by many around the area.
ReplyDeleteI had the pleasure of working with Kip many years here at Kingsley High School. He will be greatly missed. The students loved him and so did we. Not a day goes by here that we don't get asked the question, "When is Kip coming back?" They all looked so forward to his visits. There will be an empty place in our hearts for him. The world was a better place with Kip in it. Our condolences go out to his family. Rest in peace Kip.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences go out to Pam and the family. So sorry for you loss.
ReplyDeleteVicky Scott-Graber
My daughter Courtney always spoke very highly of Kip. She felt at ease with him & I could see he genuinely cared about the kids he was helping. I know she will miss him as well as all of those who knew him. May you rest in peace Kip.
ReplyDeleteI met Kip in the late 70's on construction jobs, played on the same softball team and socialized with him as often as possible until our paths changed course and we rarely saw each other. He was one of those friends who even after not seeing each other for a few years when you ran into him it was as though you'd seen him yesterday. Thanks Kip; for all the good times, the debates neither of us won and all the laughs we shared. It was truly a pleasure my friend.
ReplyDeleteMike Axtell
I've known Kip for over 15 years. He was always telling great stories and held a great passion for his work, his family and his life. I miss him deeply.
ReplyDeletePam ~ I'm so sorry to hear about Kip. He was truly all those wonderful things and more. It wasn't too long ago I saw him in Leland and he talked me into having a glass of wine with him. I'm glad I did. My heart and prayers go out to you and all your family, a great loss. I'm in NYC celebrating the birth of my first grand baby Lucy with Rachael. Still be traveling.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself during this loss. God Bless and much peace. ~ Rose Saavedra
Pam, my condolences dear on the loss of Kip. I knew him only from his frequent visits to the Grand Marais Music Festival. I'm proud to say that we liked each other instantly and became friends before we knew we shared similar career paths. He was friendly and fun and a tad mischievous and was immediately welcomed into our tribe. We will miss him.
ReplyDeleteDear Pam and Family,
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to you and your family as you grieve this loss. I will remember him as one a memorable characters in Leelanau County folk culture.
Dear Pam and family, I work at West Senior High Library Media Center. Every Wednesday, I looked forward to Kip coming in to work with our students. We would joke, laugh, commiserate about the weather, wish each other well... We really had fun during our talks - he had so much to teach me! I miss him so greatly already. Kip is a man I deeply respected and admired and will miss greatly. I'm so very sorry for your loss. I hope that you can take comfort in the wonderful life you lived with him and know that he will forever be your guardian angel. With deepest sympathy and prayers for all, Rhonda Ide
ReplyDeletePam and family,
ReplyDeleteMy deepest, heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your loved one.
Dolly Drow